Postgame Quotes: Ohio State 82, Radford 72

Chris Holtmann, Ohio State head coachOn his takeaway from the game
“I didn’t particularly care for the start, or really the first half. The bulk of the first half I didn’t think we had the mindset we needed to have at times. Having said that I thought that again Jae’Sean (Tate) and Keita (Bates-Diop) led the way with the way they talked to the team and challenged the team.”

On his coaching in the game
“Part of it was that I subbed freely at times, maybe too freely, but I’m trying to get a feel for who I can play right now and who I can trust. The only way to do that is to see these guys in action and see what their preparation is for the game. We’re not super deep as it is, but I may need to look at the rotation a little bit.”

On the play of his team
“I thought it could be better – I’m not saying it was completely unacceptable, but it could be better – what we’re trying to do is trying to play to a standard on every single possession both offensively and defensively. That is what good teams do, that’s what good teams understand.”

On the play of C.J. Jackson
“I thought he was playing well, obviously outside of turnovers. He can make shots. He can really shoot the ball. Right now, he’s just got such a big load, against pressure he is our primary ball handler. We are going to live through his mistakes. I have been really impressed with his growth, I really have, I hope that is understood. His work ethic is good, his willingness to want to get better has been good, his coachability has been good. I think his play has improved even though he has to turn it over less.”

Mike Jones, Radford head coachOn the game
“Obviously, when you come on the road and play a Big Ten school, you can’t make a lot of mistakes. You certainly can’t go a long stretch without scoring and expect to have a chance to win the game. I like the way we started the game with the exception of a few undisciplined plays in the first half on both ends of the ball. I thought the half time score should’ve been a little bit closer but they have some really talented guys and were able to take a lead.”

On the team’s pressure defense
“I mean that’s what we do, regardless of opponent. We may dial it up or dial it back depending on who we’re playing. We certainly thought they were playing guys that weren’t necessarily true point guards so we could pressure their guards a little bit in the full court, just make them work…I thought they did a great job of looking down the floor, throwing it and getting some shots.”

On his team’s performance in the closing minutes of the game
“As long as there is time on the clock you need to keep battling. You just have to have that sense that it’s never over until it’s over and regardless of how the score is, whether you’re up or down, you have to play the right way. The one thing I was really disappointed in with our team in the second half is that we didn’t play the right way for a stretch. When you don’t play the right way against a good team, then they’re going to take advantage, and they really did.”

Jae’Sean Tate, Ohio State senior forwardOn how the team could improve
“Turnovers, really just between me and C.J. (Jackson), especially the last two games. With us being the primary ball-handlers, we have to get that number way down. We have to take care of the ball more. But it’s a new system, new team. I’m very excited, and I know that we can and will get better as the season goes on.”

On team’s effort in the game
“This group of guys is so selfless. Whatever we can do for the team, they are willing to do it. That’s one thing we work on in practice — just giving effort and bringing energy. I know if there’s a loose ball, multiple of my teammates are going to be the first to get on it, because that’s what we look for when we scout, watch film, and try to improve.”

C.J. Jackson, Ohio State junior guardOn finding his rhythm after a slow start
“Just seeing my teammates out there playing together. That’s what we do. Once Keita (Bates-Diop) got going a little bit, and we started getting offensive rebounds. That’s what got the whole team going.”

On the play of Keita Bates-Diop
“He’s just a tough cover. He can score from any level, and it opens up the floor up for so many different guys.”